18/09/2012 Equality and Non-Discrimination
Strasbourg, 18.09.2012 – "Parliamentarians have a vital role to play in transforming mentalities and make freedom from violence a reality in their communities," said Jozefina Topalli, Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, during a conference organised on this matter by the Parliamentary Network ‘Women Free from Violence’ in Tirana on 14 September.
In the presence of Jozefina Topalli and Filloreta Kodra, Vice-Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, a Handbook for parliamentarians, meant as a tool for the promotion of the Istanbul Convention and other international standards in combating violence against women, was officially launched.
The discussion focussed on the role of parliamentarians and parliamentary networks in eradicating violence against women, stressing the need to pool ideas, efforts and resources in order to give parliamentary actions an effective impact.
“This conference has very good news to report. Belgium has just signed the Istanbul Convention and Albania is very much likely to ratify it in the coming months according to the commitment made by Ms Topalli during the conference. I am very confident the Convention will soon enter into force,” said José Mendes Bota (Portugal, EPP/CD), PACE General Rapporteur on violence against women and political coordinator of the Network.